Back to our history ….
The American civilian authority only started when General Kearney left in 1846 and left Francis Preston Blair, Jr., to draw up a code of laws to apply for territorial status. By 1848, the Civilian authority was re-established after the 1847 Revolt, but nothing is known about the formation of the political parties. Both California and New Mexico (which included Arizona at the time) petitioned to be a part of the union of the United States as states or territories.
The New Mexico Territory elected its first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1850: Richard Hanson Weightman, a Democrat. At this time, the Democratic Party was socially conservative, and many Democrats supported expanding slavery into new Western territories. This pro-slavery position stopped New Mexico’s first attempt at a state constitution (which prohibited slavery) from being ratified in 1850, preventing the territory from becoming a state.
The Compromise of 1850 granted New Mexico territorial status on Sept. 9, 1850 (and granted California statehood). President Millard Fillmore signed into law the Organic Act, admitting New Mexico into the Union as a territory and allowing for the formation of a territorial government. Santa Fe County became a county in 1852.
In 1860, Precinto Numero Cinco (Precinct number 5) was chaired by Luis Romero, Sr. (there was also a sheriff position assigned in the Precinto to Ramon Romero’s grandfather. Each precinto had a sheriff as opposed to a deputy sheriff since they were all sworn into the Territorial U.S. Marshall for the County). It seems that what we would call “wards” were only in the Town of Santa Fe, which was not incorporated into a city until 1891).
Then around 1900, Luis stepped down and his son, Jose Antonio Romero (1869-1956) began serving as chairman at about the same time he opened his general store. The New Mexico Business Directory lists Romero as being a Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace who helped in the filing of property deeds. He was also the third sacristan of the San Isidro Church, started in 1835 (he took over from his uncle, who had taken over from his grandfather). San Isidro Church and Parish had always been a focal point of the Agua Fría Village.
Jose Romero served until about 1950, when he retired from both his general store at San Ysidro Crossing and the Democratic Party position. His tenure included the glory years of FDR. When the Works Progress Administration set about rebuilding farming across the nation, he had grants for farm equipment. So, farm equipment was delivered to the general store for loan to farmers. They simply signed equipment out.
Then his nephew, Amarante Romero (1920-2013), opened his general store, became ward chair and served until the 1990s, when Vice Chair Consuelo Salazar took over. Fabian Trujillo took over in the 2010s. He became our fifth chairperson.
Herman Montoya (1910-2013), who ran the Monte Vista Fuel and Feed Store in the village, was a devout Republican, because his grandfather was an actual Lincoln Republican. President Lincoln was very favorable to farmers and ranchers, and backed Hispanic land grant and homestead claims. But despite all that ancient history, Herman ran the Republicans for Bruce King campaign in Santa County and delivered about 95 percent of the vote to Bruce in the years he ran.
So, who were these people of Agua Fria?
The people who lived in Agua Fria were farmers and ranchers with a deep connection to the land. These elders were land rich and money poor. They were humble and devoutly tied to their faith and San Isidro Church. Early morning or late night would often find them in prayer. They were deeply appreciative of God’s rain and snowfall and keenly aware of the water running through the Santa Fe River and the six acequias which served the Agua Fria Village area.
Everyone in the village was either a farmer or a rancher, or even a combination of both, or a profession that serviced these industries such as blacksmith, harness maker, wheelwright or butcher; and even these occupations may have been just sidelines to their own farming. They just happened to be very good butchers with a very clean operation. Even the Probst Remount Station and Inn, at present day Lugar de Padilla and the Romero General Store(s) at present day San Ysidro Crossing were engaged in “barter” with the farmers and ranchers. The general stores both kept open accounts for residents. In fact, little money was actually present in the Village, and much less changed hands. This is the history and beauty of living in Agua Fria Village.
Editor’s Note: History and commentary courtesy William Mee.